Integrating Tableau into a First-Year Information Literacy Course: A Practical Approach to Enhancing Data Science Education

Abstract

In the face of rapid technological innovation and the increasing importance of data science skills across all fields, higher education institutions must adapt their curricula to equip students with the tools and knowledge required to thrive in a data-driven world. This paper discusses the inte-gration of Tableau, a business intelligence tool for data visualization, into a first-year information literacy course at Hokuriku University as a practical approach to enhancing data science educa-tion. The university launched the “Data Science and AI Education Program” in 2022, which combines traditional information literacy topics with hands-on learning using Tableau, engaging students with real-world datasets from campus stores and cafeterias. The implementation and practice of the program are discussed, highlighting the use of Tableau as a gateway to introduce fundamental data science concepts and problem-solving skills. Although the integration of Tab-leau in university courses is still relatively rare, this paper contributes to the growing evidence of its educational value. Future studies will delve into the program’s effectiveness through student surveys and other data, aiming to contribute to the ongoing discourse on best practices in data science education in the era of accelerating technological innovation.